Long-time Principal at APS Alternative School Dies in Accident

Felipe Perea Headed School on Wheels for 24 Years

March 15, 2010

Candlelight Vigil Planned

School on Wheels will hold a Candlelight Vigil for Felipe on Tuesday evening, March 23, at 7 p.m. at their main campus at 129 Hartline Rd. SW (map).

UPDATE on March 23, 2010: A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday, March 29, at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5311 Phoenix NE.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Felipe R. Perea School on Wheels Scholarship Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank.

An online guestbook has been set up at www.RememberTheirStory.com. 

Felipe Perea, principal at one of Albuquerque Public Schools’ alternative high schools for more than two decades, died on March 14, 2010, in a car accident near Gallup, N.M. He will be missed by the staff and students at School on Wheels as well as by many others in the APS community who appreciated his quiet leadership and his dedication to educating Albuquerque’s youth.

"Felipe Perea was a decisive leader with a sense of humor. He was passionate about education and determined to help his students succeed,” said APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. “He will be missed, but we’re confident his legacy will continue at the school he headed for more than two decades.”
Perea was only the fourth principal for School on Wheels, where he spent 24 years. Colleagues described him as the ideal principal for the small, alternative school with its emphasis on family and community.

"Felipe was a strong leader, but also strong in sharing leadership and bringing out leadership qualities in his staff,” said Nick Wechselberger, technology coordinator for the school’s west side campus. “He empowered his staff to do their best, and he had great expectations for all of the students.”

School on Wheels has two campuses, one at Bridge and Isleta SW and a second at Unser and Western Trail NW. Combined, the two campuses have about 150 students and 20 staff members. 

The school began 40 years ago as a school for students who had dropped out of high school to get their GED, but evolved under Perea’s leadership into an educational institution that accommodates both students who are trying to get their high school diplomas while working and taking care of families as well as those who are preparing for college.

APS administrators are meeting with the School of Wheels staff this week to help them with the transition. Students are on spring break this week.

“Felipe empowered us to go above and beyond and take care of ourselves,” said John Glaser, lead teacher at the northwest campus. “I see the staff as a very cohesive unit. We’re going to get through this because we’re going to band together. We’re stunned but we’re not going to lose a step.”

Perea was a 1968 graduate of Valley High School. He began his career in education as an English and speech teacher at Garfield Middle School in 1973. He also taught at Valley before becoming a counselor at Albuquerque High in 1978. He also was a counselor at Valley. From 1983-1986 he served as APS student services coordinator/hearing officer. He became principal at School on Wheels in 1986.

Perea was described as a kind administrator, an excellent listener and a decisive leader. He was known for his childlike sense of humor and his willingness to lend a hand, even when someone got locked out of their car, their house or needed to borrow his trailer to haul wood for winter.